FMHeaven

Reviewed By rasputin [all]
January 28th, 2019
Version reviewed: 1.5 on Windows

This is a really venerable FM Synth, with a solid implementation of DX7 patch format. Consider that if you buy this, you can scour the net for literally 10s of thousands of patches, since this reads all .syx DX7 patches (I haven't found one it can't read yet).

I created a Python program to parse the patch name out of the file, and currently (although there are a lot of duplicates) my spreadsheet of patches is just over 104,000. I think that ought to be enough for anyone. If I live long enough, I'd like to rationalize the collection by type of patch, type of operator algorithm, etc. Maybe someone has already done that and I just haven't found it yet.

It seems to be a little unstable in Live 9.7 on Windows 7 Pro 64-bit; sometimes it hangs and sometimes checking the "HQ" box and playing notes hangs it. But what do you want for cheap? It might even be that version 1.4 is better than 1.5; I haven't investigated it yet.

Reviewed By ballacr75 [all]
September 12th, 2017
Version reviewed: 1.5 on Windows

This is really a wonderful fm instruments, only miss more audio outputs! With 16 waveform for each oscillator, a 6x6 fm modulation matrix, two filters with hi and low pass mode, morph section for create morphing sound with a move of wheel or aftertouch, 16 channel multitrack, 4 audio out, 32x12 patch, import dx7 syx bank, 6x amplitude envelope with keytrack, 6x frequency envelope with keytrack, 2x filter envelope with keytrack, MIDI learn... a wonderful fm synth!!.

Reviewed By skinnyjap [all]
August 29th, 2002
Version reviewed: 1.4 on unspecified OS

1 0

I had an - unexplainable - lust for a Yamaha FS1R for ages... didn't make much sense (especially as I've gradually been moving across to a software only setup).

I just WANTED one.

Especially when I heard the fat, wide, metallic sounds you get from FM synthesis; much preferable - to my ears - to yet another subtractive synth. I held off, though - aware that it would be a waste of money, as I have not the time, patience or tiny fingers required to master such a beast. I continued to read up on FM synthesis, however... spending hours reading everything I could find on the topic.

Then, along came Pluggo 3 and it's 4 Op FM synth. At last I could have a fiddle about, and see how all the theory I had read applied to an instrument. I liked it. A lot - but it was tres limiting : no pitch envelopes, a limited repetoire of algorithms. I wanted more - but what ? The interface of FM7 left me cold (still does). So I tried FMHeaven.

Three words : "Mod. Wheel. Morph."

In conjunction with the programming matrix (which rocks, IMO - you tend to think about what you want the sound to do, rather than blindly flicking through algos), this is the business.

Sounds excellent, runs like a dream in Muzys and makes me grin from ear to ear. Like it.

Reviewed By Midiworks [all]
January 22nd, 2002
Version reviewed: 1.3 on Windows

Very good DX7 emulation !
If you miss your old DX then get this one.

The gui is quit bad and ugly but the sound is good !

Its not an NI FM7 but it costs so much less its really
a bang for the buck.

Finaly you can get rid of those noisy DX7 outputs !
CPU load is quite high but still ok.

Go for it !

See ya

Reviewed By KOSMOLITH [all]
November 16th, 2001
Version reviewed: 1.4.9 on Windows

The modulation matrix is quite good. The modulation info is right there in the matrix and it works well, not eye candy but a tool.

The sound is very good, it is not a problem creating sounds(or using the tens of thousands of patches from the internet) which will hold their place in the mix.

This is the low-price way to use all those classic DX patches and a practical way to get some modern FM madness going on. I prefer the sound of FMHeaven to the "competition" for classic FM work of the sparkling, metallic, sweet or nasty kind. True FM has a wonderful ability to create "phyical" sounds as the sidebands can be quite complex.

This is a very good and useful softsynth.